It will arguably be the best bogey of McIlroy’s career.
With a two-shot lead on the 18th tee the job was almost done but McIlroy had a wild swipe and his ball flew to the right and into trees.
Hearts were suddenly racing again.
After what seemed like an eternity, as he tried to usher thousands of spectators away from his intended line of attack to the green, he thrashed his ball out of the pine straw and into a greenside bunker.
It was a key moment. Another poor swing could easily have led to a double bogey and a play-off with Scheffler.
He backed that with a strong shot from the sand to 12 feet and with two putts for the title, took both of them.
The final stroke, from seven inches, was the length that all players dream of to win a major.
There was a huge release of emotion. McIlroy hugged his caddie Harry Diamond, looked to the sky and let out a roar as he raised him arms aloft – his sixth major title cementing his place as one of the sport’s greats.